Learning English from the News

Heatwaves across the world

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Heatwaves cause record temperatures in Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

Killer salt?

13 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

New research has found that adding salt to your meals could take years off your life.

Eight months' rain in four days

06 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and Beth discuss the vocabulary in the news headlines about this story.

World energy crisis

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is the world giving up on green?

Prices rise across the world

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As prices rise, interest rates are going up to deal with the crisis.

Google engineer: AI has feelings

15 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Google engineer: AI has feelings

Boris Johnson survives

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Boris Johnson has survived a no-confidence vote. Learn vocabulary related to this story.

Sold: Most expensive piece of 20th century art

31 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Warhol's Marilyn Monroe painting sold for record-breaking $195m.

Monkeypox: New disease spreads

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Outbreaks of the virus have now been reported in at least 15 countries around the world.

Ukraine wins Eurovision 2022

17 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest with the UK’s Sam Ryder in second.

New Doctor Who revealed

10 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Ncuti Gatwa will take over from Jodie Whittaker as the star of Doctor Who.

Is there plastic in your blood?

03 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Plastic has been found in human blood for the first time. Join Neil and Roy to discuss.

France: Macron wins second term

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Emmanuel Macron has been voted President of France for a second time.

Taliban: No beard, no job!

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Government employees in Afghanistan were told they can lose their jobs if they shave.

Ed Sheeran wins Shape of You case

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Sheeran has won a copyright case over his hit Shape of You. Learn new vocabulary.

Driverless cars

05 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A trial is underway in UK. Would you be happy to travel in a driverless car?

Oscars 2022: When Will hit Chris

29 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Will Smith hit Chris Rock at the Oscars after Chris Rock made a joke about his wife.

Great Barrier Reef in danger

22 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some scientists say the world's largest coral reef is under threat by climate change.

What is the future for fuel?

15 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is it time to speed up the transition to alternative and renewable energy sources?

Rocket hits the Moon

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part of an abandoned rocket is thought to have hit the Moon last Friday, say scientists.

Ukraine conflict continues

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We help you understand how the conflict is being reported in English.

'Freedom Convoy': Arrests made

22 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lorry drivers in Canada have been protesting against Covid rules.

Ukraine: Fears of invasion

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Several countries have said that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could happen at any time.

The Queen celebrates 70 years on the throne

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch.

Nadal: Star breaks records again

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tennis ace Rafael Nadal won a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam singles title in Australia.

Ukraine: US tells embassy families to leave

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The United States has told families of staff that work in the Ukraine embassy to leave.

Tonga: Volcano and tsunami hit

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Major damage reported in Tonga after a huge volcanic eruption triggered a tsunami threat.

Djokovic vs Australia: Novak to stay

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has won his appeal to stay in Australia.

Review of 2021

04 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rob and Roy look back at some of the stories and vocabulary we've discussed during 2021.

Real-life secret Santa

28 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Someone's been leaving presents in public places. Could this be a real-life secret Santa?

Omicron: Lockdown in the Netherlands

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Netherlands goes into Christmas lockdown due to the rise of the Omicron strain.

Tornadoes devastate US states

14 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tornadoes hit the Midwest of the US on Friday and caused destruction and loss of life.

Aung San Suu Kyi: 4 years in prison

07 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Deposed Myanmar leader has been sentenced after widely criticised trial.

Omicron: New Covid strain, new travel restrictions

30 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss this story and teach you some related vocabulary so you can talk about it too.

Adele gets Spotify to stop album shuffle

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Adele has persuaded Spotify to take the shuffle button off all album pages.

Austria: Lockdown for unvaccinated

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Two million people who have not been vaccinated have been placed in lockdown in Austria.

COP26: Fossil fuel industry has largest delegation

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn key vocabulary to help you talk about this news story.

Countries try to change UN climate paper

02 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of COP26, BBC News saw documents showing countries trying to change report.

Donald Trump to launch new social media platform

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump plans to launch a new social media network called TRUTH Social.

Earthshot Prize: Prince's new awards

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn language related to Prince William's Earthshot Prize.

Afghan female footballers get UK visas

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A team of female footballers who fled the Taliban have been told they can live in the UK.

Pandora Papers: Rich exposed

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands of documents have exposed the financial dealings of the world’s rich.

Germany elections: Centre-left claim narrow win over Merkel's party

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Germany's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have claimed victory in the federal election

La Palma: Volcano erupts

21 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A volcano has erupted on the Spanish island of La Palma, one of the Canary Islands.

Emma Raducanu wins US Open

14 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Raducanu becomes the first British woman for 44 years to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Abba: Pop superstars are back

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

ABBA, pop superstars of 70s, are back after 40 years with new album and planned tour.

Rolling Stones drummer dies

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Watts, of legendary rock group The Rolling Stones, has died at the age of 80.

Afghanistan: Taliban retake Kabul

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Taliban have retaken the Afghan capital 20 years after being removed.

Climate crisis: Last warning for humanity?

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

IPCC report says it's unequivocal that human activity is responsible for global warming.

Olympics: Sprinter seeks asylum

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Belarusian sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya is seeking asylum in Europe.

Tunisia's prime minister fired after protests

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tunisia's PM sacked after violent Covid protests in the country.

Pegasus: Activists 'spied on'

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A smartphone spyware may have been used to monitor human rights activists and politicians

Italy win Euro 2020

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Italy have won their first European championship since 1968. It beat England in the final.

The Queen gives medal to health service

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Queen Elizabeth has awarded the George Cross to the National Health Service.

Wimbledon: Return of tennis tournament

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The famous tennis tournament is back. It was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

Olympics: First transgender athlete

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Laurel Hubbard will become the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympics.

Euro 2020: Player has heart attack

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Denmark’s Christian Eriksen had a heart attack during a Euro 2020 game against Finland.

Lilibet: Harry and Meghan's new baby

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced the birth of their second child.

Olympics: Tokyo too hot for athletes?

01 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A report suggests that climate change could put the health of Olympic athletes at risk.

Belarus accused of 'hijacking'

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Western countries have accused Belarus of hijacking a Ryanair plane.

Long working hours killing 745,000 people a year, study finds

18 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

People living in South East Asia and the Western Pacific region were the most affected.

China rocket lands in ocean

11 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The remains of a Chinese rocket have crashed into the Indian Ocean.

India's Covid nightmare

04 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

India continues to struggle with an aggressive second wave of infections.

Nomadland wins at the Oscars

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chloe Zhao becomes the first woman of colour to win the best director award.

Football: 'Super League' for Europe?

20 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In a seismic move for football, 12 clubs have agreed to join a new European Super League.

Natanz: Iran blames Israel

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and Catherine have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

Space wine: Does it taste better?

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists sent bottles of wine to the ISS to study the effect of gravity on the product.

Suez Canal: Delays continue

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Ever Given became stuck in the Suez Canal on 23rd March and caused long delays.

Australia hit by record floods

23 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Around 18,000 people have been evacuated from severe floods in Australia.

Grammys: Beyonce sets new record

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Beyonce has set a new record after becoming the first female artist to win 28 Grammys.

Harry and Meghan's Interview

09 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and Catherine have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

Golden Globes 2021

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the vocabulary you need to talk about this year's film and TV awards ceremony.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West to divorce

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and Catherine have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

Impeachment trial: Trump acquitted

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Catherine have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

India: Flood in Himalayas

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dozens are feared dead after a piece of a Himalayan glacier triggered a flood in India.

Myanmar: Military takes control

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

Russian Navalny Protests

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

UK: Tough new travel restrictions

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New controls have come into force to try to keep out variants of coronavirus.

Record-breaking snow storm hits Spain

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Up to 50cm of snow fell on the capital Madrid between Friday and Saturday.

Trump tells official: 'find' votes

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this news story.

Our favourite News Review of 2020

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A 99-year-old man raised millions to help the UK's health service fight coronavirus

Brexit talks: Next days are crucial

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Talks between the UK and the EU have been extended with no deadline.

Brexit: Deal or no deal?

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The UK and the EU have entered final talks this week to try and agree a trade deal.

Diego Maradona: Doctor’s house searched

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

Covid-19: Will vaccine be for all?

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this news story.

Calls for ban on 'anti-vax' social media

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

Kamala Harris: First female US vice-president

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Georgina and Catherine have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

US election day 2020

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Georgina and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

Harry and Meghan to make shows with Netflix

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine and Rob have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

China's Covid Recovery

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news around this story.

Nadal 20th Grand Slam

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rafael Nadal has equalled Roger Federer's feat of winning a 20th Grand Slam title.

London Marathon goes ahead

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Around 45,000 non-elite athletes took part remotely due to Covid-19.

Trump's tax returns

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news around this story.

2020 Emmys - New Records Set

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tom and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news around this story.

Wildfires are spreading across the West Coast of America

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Georgina and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news around this story.

Djokovic hits line judge with ball

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The incident led to the player's disqualification from the US Open tennis tournament.

SpaceX splash down

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and Rob talk about space exploration and teach you vocabulary.

Kamala Harris makes history

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kamala Harris has become the first black woman to run for US Vice-President.

Belarus: Protests spread

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news about this story.

Beirut explosion protests

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Neil and Catherine look at the vocabulary in the news around this story.